Barcelona v Real Madrid player ratings: Gavi 7, Fati 6; Vinicius Jr 8, Benzema 7

Alaba and Vazquez strike to secure clasico victory at a packed Camp Nou

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  BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 6 - Wasn’t tested too often outside of Alaba’s shot that found the back of the net. Saved well against Asensio late on but couldn’t keep out the rebound from Vazquez. AP

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  Oscar Mingueza 6 - Struggled at times against the threat of Vinicius Jr who was constantly looking to square the defender up into 1v1 situations. Replaced at halftime. AP

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  Gerard Pique 6 - Played Alaba onside for the goal but came close to levelling the score immediately with a strong header that eased past the post. Booked for dissent. AFP

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  Eric Garcia 6 - Alert to the danger of Real Madrid’s direct balls over the top as the opponents looked to unleash Vinicius Jr, but could have done better on both goals conceded. AP

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  Jordi Alba 6 - Defended well but we are used to seeing Alba much more effective going forward. The Spain international struggled to make an impact in the final third. AP

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  Sergio Busquets 7 - Made a number of interceptions and tackles in the middle of the park that helped the home side enjoy some spells of possession. Reuters

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  Frenkie De Jong 6 - Kept play ticking over with passes rarely missing the target, but could have done more to be incisive with decision-making. Almost punished for giving the ball away cheaply in the second half. EPA

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  Gavi 7 - The young midfielder was at the heart of several intricate passages of play that helped the home side progress up the field. Neat and tidy in possession, and consistent in making good decisions on the ball. Getty

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  Sergino Dest 7 - A disastrous finish from Dest saw Barcelona’s best chance of the first half blazed over the bar. Moved to full-back at half-time after struggling in the attack. The American international looked like a different player in the second half when playing from a more familiar right-back position. AFP

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  Memphis Depay 7 - Dangerous when isolated against Lucas Vazquez. Always positive on the ball, and the Dutch forward was unlucky not to pick up an assist. One of Barcelona’s standout performers on the day. EPA

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  Ansu Fati 6 - Found space in the box but saw his effort blocked by David Alaba close to halftime. While the winger was bright on the ball, there were often too many white shirts in his way. Getty

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  SUBS: Philippe Coutinho (Mingueza 45) 7 - Made an instant impact to get Barcelona into dangerous areas, displaying good footwork and linking well with Memphis Depay. Getty

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  Sergio Aguero (Ansu Fati 74) 6 - On to try and win the game but his goal would only be a consolation in the last minute of the game. Reuters

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  Sergi Roberto (De Jong 77) N/A - Looked to get forward and support the attack when Barcelona were in the attack. Luuk De Jong (Gavi 85) N/A - On as a taller option inside the box for Barcelona’s crosses. AFP

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  REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 6 - Didn’t have a save to make in the first half as Dest’s shot was sent into orbit. The Belgium international has his defence to thank for a fairly comfortable day. Getty

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  Ferland Mendy 7 - Linked well with Vinicius Jr which generated success on Real Madrid’s left flank. Little got down Mendy’s side on the day as the French fullback looked comfortable at Camp Nou. AFP

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  David Alaba 8 - An emphatic strike sent the ball past ter Stegen with power after the defender won the ball in a dangerous area. Blocked well against Ansu Fati to keep the score level. AFP

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  Eder Militao 7 - Made it difficult for Barcelona attackers to get a free shot at goal, showing good chemistry with Alaba to get in the way of shots inside the box. Getty

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  Lucas Vazquez 7 - Settled down in the second half and fared better when Depay moved centrally. Picked out well by Madrid’s midfield three. Worked tirelessly to get up the other end of the pitch to rebound home from Asensio’s saved effort. EPA

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  Toni Kroos 7 - A problem in space with Kroos able to pick out passes to release Real Madrid’s wide players. AFP

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  Casemiro 7 - Disrupted the play in the middle of the park and helped against Barca overloads into the box during the second half. AFP

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  Luka Modric 8 - Looked unfazed by the Barcelona press and engineered ways to get out of it through passing and astute dribbling. Unlucky not to get an assist with an inventive pass that put the ball in a great spot for Benzema. EPA

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  Vinicius Jr 8 - Real Madrid’s most dangerous player who kept the opponent’s defence active throughout the game. The Brazilian kept looking to take players on, and had some good success against Oscar Mingueza. AFP

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  Karim Benzema 7 - Provided an option when Madrid had to go long against Barcelona’s high press. Calm on the ball and brought others into play. Should have did better with an effort that was hit straight at ter Stegen. AFP

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  Rodrygo 6 - Not as effective going forward as usual with a difficult matchup against Jordi Alba. Eventually replaced for Valverde. EPA

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  Federico Valverde (Rodrygo 72) N/A - Almost put the ball in the net with his first touch but could only find the side-netting before the play was judged offside. EPA

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  Dani Carvajal (Valverde 90+2) N/A - On for Valverde who picked up an injury shortly after being introduced. EPA Marco Asensio (Vinicius Jr 88) N/A - On for Vinicius Jr for the final minutes of the game. Came close to scoring by forcing a good save from Ter Stegen, but it was Vazquez who rebounded home.

A superb strike from David Alaba and a late goal from Lucas Vazquez helped Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 2-1 in the first Clasico of the season in front of more than 86,000 fans at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Barcelona were in control in the first half but Real were sharp on the counter-attack, taking the lead with Alaba's left-footed drive from the edge of the box.

Vazquez added a second goal in stoppage time on a counterattack with Barcelona desperately thrown forward in search of an equaliser.

Sergio Aguero pulled one back for Barcelona on a cross from Dest in the final seconds but it was too late by then.

“That [first] goal was decisive,” said Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. “In games like this, whoever scores first has a big advantage. Games are decided in the area, and we were not effective today.”

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.